EXHIBIT 23

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the incorporation by reference,

         (a)      In  the  Registration   Statement  (Form  S-8,  No.  33-14771)
                  pertaining  to  Journal  Employees'  Stock  Trust  and  in the
                  related prospectus, and

         (b)      In  the  Registration  Statement  (Form  S-8,  No.  333-15669)
                  pertaining to Journal  Communications,  Inc.  Employees' Stock
                  Trust submitted to the Securities and Exchange  Commission for
                  filing on November 5, 1996 with respect to 1,500,000  units of
                  beneficial   interest  in  said  trust,  and  in  the  related
                  prospectus

of our report dated January 29, 1999 with respect to the consolidated  financial
statements  of Journal  Employees'  Stock Trust  included in this Annual  Report
(Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1998.


                                      ERNST & YOUNG LLP



Milwaukee, Wisconsin
March 26, 1999